Fascinating, intelligent, and incredibly agile, orangutans are one of the most unique species on our planet. These reddish-brown great apes are native to the dense rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo and have evolved to become the largest tree-dwelling mammals. With their long, powerful arms and curved hands and feet, they’ve mastered an arboreal life, spending roughly 90% of their time amidst the high tree canopies.
Orangutans have distinct physical characteristics. Males can reach heights of about 1.5 metres (4’9”), and females 1.2 metres (3’9”). Male orangutans can weigh 93-103 kilograms (205 to 227 pounds), while females are much lighter, weighing 48-55 kilograms (105-131 pounds). They also have long lifespans; an average orangutan will often live for 30-40 years or more.
Orangutans communicate with facial expressions, body language, and vocalisations like kiss-squeaks and belching. Males also use a deeply resonating long call to communicate and maintain distance from other males.
Other physical characteristics include flabby throat sacs found in male orangutans. These tend to become very large as they reach adulthood. They also develop large cheek pads, which amplify their long calls; these can be heard from over a kilometre away and demonstrate their genetic fitness to potential mates. Their diets can be described as frugivorous, meaning that they consume a wide variety of fruits, flowers, leaves, insects, and other vegetation.
The word orangutan translates to ‘person of the forest’ in Malay. They are strikingly similar to humans, sharing 97% of our DNA. They exhibit immense intelligence, demonstrated through their problem-solving abilities and their knack for using tools to access hard-to-reach food. These abilities—combined with their patient demeanour—make orangutans truly captivating creatures.
One characteristic feature of orangutans is their largely solitary nature. Males tend to be loners, covering vast territories and interacting with others primarily for mating.
Female orangutans have a more complex social structure. They often form strong bonds with their offspring and give birth once every eight years. Baby orangutans are dependent on their mothers for about six to seven years—the longest childhood among the great apes. Orangutans have a gestation period of 8.5 months and typically give birth to a single offspring—they are quite similar to humans in this way.
Despite their impressive strength and adaptability, orangutans are critically endangered. They are threatened by human activities like deforestation through logging and hunting. Their survival is becoming increasingly precarious as their homes are rapidly disappearing due to palm oil plantations, logging, fires, and other forms of habitat destruction.
Orangutans play an integral role in maintaining the health and diversity of their rainforest habitats. In fact, they are called the gardeners of the forest. By breaking branches and foliage as they travel, orangutans create pathways that are utilised by smaller species. This contributes to the overall fluidity and dynamism of the forest environment.
Healthy orangutan populations also indicate a healthy forest, as they rely on a wide range of resources the forest offers. They are often considered an umbrella species, meaning their conservation indirectly protects many other species and the entire ecosystem.
What is an orangutan’s scientific name?
The orangutan belongs to the genus Pongo within the great ape family, Hominidae. They are unique among great apes as being native to Asia rather than Africa. There are three recognised species: the Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii), and the Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis).
Are orangutans endangered?
Yes. Unfortunately, all three species of orangutans are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Where do orangutans live?
The main Orangutan habitat is in the lush, tropical rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia. Orangutans typically live in dense forests, where they dwell high in the trees. Orangutans are the world’s largest tree-dwelling animals, and this arboreal lifestyle is supported by their long arms and curved fingers. These features are ideal for swinging from branch to branch in what is known as arboreal clambering.
Their habitats are typically lowland rainforests, peat swamp forests, and montane forests, depending on the species. They use large leaves as makeshift umbrellas and shelters, displaying their ingenuity and adaptation to their environment. Orangutans have shaped and been shaped by their habitats, playing a crucial role in their ecosystems.
